Celebrating Hariraya

This is my first Hariraya. A first in Brunei Darussalam. A first in a Muslim country.
Back in PH, i never felt Hariraya since it was just commemorated in such a way that one day is considered a holiday. No work. No classes. That's just it. It's entirely different once you get to experience it first hand in a country predominated by Muslims.

If you'll be asking what's Hariraya, let's search Wikipedia.

Eid-ul-Fitr, "Eid-ul-fitr", Eid al-Fitr, Id-ul-Fitr, or Id al-Fitr (Arabic: ‎عيد الفطر ‘Īdu l-Fiṭr), often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting (sawm). The religious Eid is a single day and Muslims are not permitted to fast that day. Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity", while Fiṭr means "breaking the fast". The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan. The day of Eid, therefore, falls on the first day of the month Shawwal. This is a day where Muslims around the world try to show a common goal of unity.


In short, it's the end of the month long fasting season of our Muslim brothers. More like of the counterpart of Christmas for us Catholics.

Anyhow, here's a photoblog of what transpired during "Raya Days" which started last August 20 and continues til the end of August. 

Muslims here in Brunei mark the start of Hariraya by checking on the moon.

They see if its on the phase they call "Anak Bulan" which literally means "BabyMoon"

marking the end of Ramaddan.

This was taken Sunday (day before the celebration of Hariraya, Monday)

It's my first time to wear their traditional clothes, Baju Kurung.

We were obliged to wear them at work. :)

So colorful. I just can't get enough of it.

Third day of Hariraya, we decided to pay a visit to our Aunts and UNcles. hahaha

Kidding aside, we went to Istana Nurul Iman to "salam" to the royals.

Girls get to shake hands with the Queen and Princesses.

Boys get to shake hands with the Sultan and the Princes.

Can't do both. :)

coz the cue was freaking long and we're uber bored.:)

see the sea of people?

^__^

I tried wearing "tudung".

Cool!:)

 This is how their traditional Baju Kurung looks like. 

Pretty, comfy, long.:)

As we speak, Raya is still on going here. and the Muslim community is in a very much festive mood. :)